Only 11 schools in Florida offered AP African American Studies (APAAS) to their students in the 2024-2025 school year. The class is currently banned at all Florida public schools, fulfilling Governor Ron DeSantis’ threats to remove the course from school curricula as a part of his Stop “WOKE” Act. As a private school that receives no federal funding, Shorecrest is one of the few schools able to offer the class.

     The class took off in a trial period with a select group of schools during the 2022-23 school year and continued in this mode the following year, until the framework was finalized. Then, it officially launched in the 2024-25 school year. The course dives deep into African American history, discussing topics such as African kingdoms, the Transatlantic Slave Trade and contemporary issues surrounding race and identity.

     Advocates for the course argue that it teaches critical parts of American history, ones that a required U.S. history course only touches upon. While classes like AP U.S. History teach more of a general overview of our country’s history, AP African American Studies allows students to delve into a more focused lens. 

     “As Americans, it is imperative that we know our own history,” Senior Associate Director of College Counseling and Interim Co-Director of Diversity & Inclusion Meghan Schneider said.

      Critics of the course, such as DeSantis, argue that it teaches Critical Race Theory and promotes a “woke” agenda to “indoctrinate” students.      

     US Social Studies Department Chair and GSI Director and AP African American Studies teacher Kayla Brazee finds this reasoning problematic: “Somehow Critical Race Theory has become kind of the catch-all term for any topic, or course, or event or class that focuses on specifically race, racism, systematic oppression and sometimes DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) altogether. It’s kind of like those terms have been lumped together as the same thing, and that is not accurate,” said Brazee.

     DeSantis also cited the “lack of educational value” and “historically inaccurate” curriculum as reasons for his bans. 

     “Unless the state of Florida changes its philosophy on what’s most important in our schools, I don’t see AP African American Studies being offered through our public schools,” Schneider said.

     Some students say that the controversy surrounding the course was what drew them to register for it.  

     “You’re learning a history that isn’t available to all these other people, so you are getting a deeper understanding of something that not a lot of people would have,” junior and AP African American Studies student Caitlin Smith said. 

     Others don’t understand why there is controversy in the first place.

     “I don’t see any reason why African American Studies would be too political. It really is just an essential part of our history,” sophomore and AP African American Studies student Jesse Diner said.

     From a college admissions standpoint, the course is a unique resume booster. In fact, a representative from Amherst College told Director of College Counseling Myra Simpson that they see students who take the class positively because it aligns with their curriculum and values.

     “You have to develop certain skills and certain academic habits to be successful as a college student, and I think this course will help with that,” Simpson said. 

    Brazee agrees but is concerned about the controversy.

     “It is a slippery slope when there are people in power [who are not educators] who determine what students get to learn in 2025,” she said.      

        Shorecrest has Diversity Coordinators reaching across all divisions. There are several opportunities for community members to share their insight about diversity and inclusion, including a lunch with students, a parent session and a Board of Trustees meeting. 

     “Part of Shorecrest’s Strategic Plan is to be a more inclusive community by 2028. That includes ensuring that Shorecrest’s policies, practices and procedures are inclusive and sensitive to the various populations in our community,” Schneider said.

      AP African American Studies could be a vital part of this mission as Shorecrest continues to offer a more robust and diverse curriculum. Shorecrest also offers classes, including Women’s Studies and World Religions.

     “I think it’s important for people to see themselves in history, because you learn a lot about yourself, your culture, your background [and] your community,” Brazee said. “I think it’s important to understand that everyone has a different experience in the world.”